Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on November 13, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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As Acting Prosecutor General Noh Manseok expressed his intention to resign over the issue of dropping the appeal in the Daejangdong trial, the Democratic Party of Korea announced plans to pursue a parliamentary investigation into prosecutors opposing the decision to drop the appeal. The party also stated it would push to amend relevant laws to allow the dismissal of prosecutors who defy orders. The People Power Party characterized Noh’s resignation as an act of scapegoating and said it would seek to revise the Criminal Procedure Act to prevent prosecutors from arbitrarily withdrawing indictments in cases that have already been filed.

Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on November 13, "We will no longer tolerate political prosecutors who place themselves above the law," adding, "At today’s general assembly, we will gather the consensus of our lawmakers and submit a request for a parliamentary investigation to uncover the truth within this week."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on November 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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Additionally, Floor Leader Kim stated, "I will sponsor a bill to replace the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act," and "By applying the National Public Service Act, we will ensure that dismissal and removal from office are possible, thereby restoring discipline in public office." He continued, "Calling for self-reflection from political prosecutors is a waste of time," and declared, "This time, we will hold those political prosecutors who continue to resist until the end strictly accountable."

Previously, in an appearance on Kim Eojun’s News Factory YouTube channel, he explained, "Until now, because of the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, prosecutors could not be dismissed immediately unlike other public officials," and "If this law is abolished, it can be stipulated that the general public service law will apply immediately."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on November 13, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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The People Power Party described Noh’s resignation as scapegoating. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "This will not end with Noh’s resignation," and warned, "Such scapegoating will only provoke greater public outrage." Song Eonseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, argued, "The essence of this case is that the investigation team recommended an appeal to recover 780 billion won in Daejangdong criminal proceeds for the national treasury, but the prosecution leadership abandoned the appeal under pressure from the administration," adding, "The prosecutors’ protest is a perfectly legitimate challenge in defense of the rule of law."

The People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee announced plans to amend the Criminal Procedure Act to prohibit the withdrawal of indictments. They stated, "The current 'indictment withdrawal system' was designed to be available only in extremely exceptional circumstances, such as when clear evidentiary errors or significant procedural flaws are confirmed. However, in reality, there is a high risk that it may be exercised arbitrarily for non-legal reasons, such as the interests of those in power or political considerations. For this reason, calls for its abolition have been ongoing," adding, "By removing the provision for indictment withdrawal, we aim to institutionally prevent the prosecution from withdrawing indictments at the direction of the Ministry of Justice or the Office of the President."